As a man thinks lesson #1 part 1

Can We Defeat Sin? - Windsor, July 23, 2000 - a.m. -Drew Chapados Text: James 1:13-15 It is always a joy to be together with fellow children of God who are walking the same pathway through life. We have been rescued from the sea of sin and are safe on the ship of Zion. How we need to be celebrating that fact each and every day of our lives. Jesus Christ died for the sins of mankind and offers us new life in him, which will never end.

Yet, even though we have been saved from our sins and have been born new in the blood of Jesus through the waters of baptism, we still live here in a world of evil and temptations arise luring us to join it! For those of us who are in love with Jesus, the thought of sinning against him grieves us terribly. The fact that we do at times reminds us newly of the grief and pain that he had to bear on our behalf!

Many of us can in fact sympathize with Peter in Matthew 26:41

The question I want to deal with today is how can we defeat sin before it ever starts? I want to begin this morning with the proposition that sin doesn't just happen!

Please turn to James 1:13-15. We hear today statements to the effect that "I woke up one morning and found myself in this sin" or "I never intended anything like this and before I knew it it happened"! Now, people may use these statements to describe how they can find themselves overwhelmed in a sinful lifestyle or action but in reality if honest, looking back there is always a specific schedule of events that took place before it "just" happened! In fact, something else had to occur before sin entered the picture!

Listen to what James says: There are a few things to note about this and the main thing is the source of our temptation and sin!
1) It is not from God! James tells us none of us can blame God for our sin 2) It is not from our families! 3) It is not from society! 4) The fault is not even entirely the Devil's! 5) Whenever I face temptation and whenever I sin there is one place to look at as the source: MYSELF! Basically, we need to understand that the one person to blame our sins on is us! It is my lust (desire) that causes me to be tempted, when I allow that desire to conceive I have entered into sin and when I let that sin go full grown I have caused my own spiritual death!

So, all of us who love Jesus, do not want to live in sin. Now, we have found out that the one person responsible for my wanting to sin is me. What do we do about it?

Now turn to 1 John 2:15-17. Now, since the desire to sin is within us not from outside sources, how does temptation to sin come about? What are the three avenues that the great Tempter uses to bring about our fall? John gives us three sources,
First however he informs us that there is a holy love and an unholy love! You can be in "love" but be wrong! John says love not the world. What is in the world? What is the avenue of temptation to sin?
1) Lust of the flesh! Self-satisfaction! This is the satisfaction of the needs of our flesh but sought in an unholy manner! (Elicit sexual relations, drunkenness, drug use, fighting etc.) 2) Lust of the eyes! This is used a lot in our society of Springer, Playboy, money, immodest dress and so many more! I see and continue to like what is not rightfully mine! Matthew 5:28! This is a source of covetousness by the way. 3) Pride of life! Wrongful boasting. This can be almost anything in any area of life. What I have is better than you!

John tells us these are passing away! Now, John and James here make the urgency of defeating sin prevalent. James says, desires entertained brings forth sin and sin death. John says, the love of the world is passing away and only those who live the will of God will live forever. Can we defeat sin and say no when tempted?

A crucial truth that we need to understand can be seen in Matthew 4:1-10. Jesus was tempted as a man! In his flesh Jesus was tempted to sin! Now, the truth we have to understand from this is the fact that temptation and sin are two different things! Remember, sin doesn't just happen, temptation comes, lust is conceived then sin is brought forth! So, just because you are tempted does not mean you have sinned and in fact, it is a warning sign and an opportunity for you to defeat sin!

Jesus was tempted for forty days by the Devil. (Mark 1:13, Luke 4:2) Now, what you will notice from Matthew's account is how Jesus was tempted in the same ways we are: 1) Lust of the flesh! (vs.2,3) 2) Lust of the eyes! (vs.8,9) 3) Pride of life! (vs.5,6) Yet, though tempted, Jesus had no sin! 2 Corinthians 5:21 The point we want to note, is that while we are tempted by our desires, we can be tempted and yet not sin!

However, the path of overcoming the temptation to sin has to begin within us! Jesus will not work on your behalf if you do not want him to! If you do not want to resist sin, he won't hold you back!

In this fight it is not enough to say "something which feels so right cannot be wrong" Yes it can!
It is not enough to say "I'll ask for forgiveness later, but it's too good to pass up." No, because then we are not living what Jesus wants us to according to Matthew 5:6. The Christian must seek to defeat temptation. Titus 2:11,12, 1 Peter 1:13-16

Can we say no when tempted? Can we begin to leave our sins, which at the time seem to have such a hold on us? Is it right to expect one another to not engage in a sinful routine?
The good news is Yes! Praise God we can overcome!
1 Corinthians 6:18-20- the homosexual, fornicator, drunkard, drug user, gossip all can be free from their spiritual destructive lifestyle! How? Galatians 5:24,25!

Well, what are some practical steps to overcoming temptation? 1) Run from the scene. Sin doesn't just happen; there are warning signs! Notice the difference between Joseph & David when tempted to have affairs. One runs at first sight, the other lingers and keeps on looking. The following comic strip from Cathy illustrates this biblical truth, 1- I will take a drive, but won't go near the grocery store. 2- I will drive by the grocery store, but will not go in. 3- I will go in the grocery store, but will not walk down the aisle where the Halloween candy is on sale. 4- I will look at the candy, but not pick it up. 5- I will pick it up, but not buy it. 6- I will buy it, but not open it. 7- Open it, but not smell it. 8- Smell it, but not taste it. 9- Taste it, but not eat it. 10- Eat, eat, eat, eat! She should have not ever taken a ride when the thought entered her mind. The same is true with sin, run away! 2 Tim.2:22, 1 Corinthians 15:33,34
2) Stay in the word of God! Jesus answered the Devil three times not with, What I'm really in need of at this time or what do I feel like doing, but it is written! Know when the Bible says you are entering into enemy territory.
3) Pray to the Father! When we pray to God that we are being sorely tempted it is not a sign of spiritual failure, but spiritual awareness! Matthew 6:13- deliver us from the evil One!
4) Don't become slack! 1 Corinthians 10:12,13. 1 Peter 5:8
5) Remember the reward of giving in to temptation! Eve, David and now us! James 1:15- death!
6) Understand that through resistance, good will come! James 4:7,8 I do not want to convey to you the message that unless we are perfect we cannot go to heaven. We are all saints who sin and as long as we live in this frail body of flesh that's how we will always be. But, we cannot expect to live with God if we are not trying to resist the lures of Satan!

The one thing we are reminded of is that when we become a child of God there is at our disposal the great strengths of the Divine to aid us. Not only does becoming a child of God save us from the debts of our sins, but also gives us the power to free us from the practices of our sins! Titus 3:3-6.

Is this what you long for? Come as we stand and sing….

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